St. Jude's Secret [Paperback]

Daniel Jones (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2000

Faced with the Pandoras Box of genetic engineering and set against the backdrop of New Oreleans waterfront corruption, maritime law, and rich bayou color, Bobby Grace is a sole-practioner attorney who is disillusioned and adrift from love, life, and career. Beseeched by a dead seamans wife to represent her against her husbands steamship company, Bobby reluctantly agrees. His investigations reveal that a local mobster is smuggling geneticallly engineered and deadly coffee into the Port of New Orleans. The mastermind behind the smuggling operation is a notorious Don, nicknamed The Vat due to his penchant for disposing of adversaries in a vat of lye. Bobby now has more than his clients interests at stake. In a deathbed promise to his grandfather years before, he promised to settle the family score someday, somehow, against The Vat, his fathers killer. By the end of the story, not only has he exacted revenge against The Vat, thwarted the deadly smuggling scheme, and collected on the death case for his client; Bobby has also learned to commit to love, renewed his faith in God and to life itself.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...will surely please readers who enjoy admiralty law... Jones has cooked up an imaginative and compelling story." Robert Jarvis -- Journal of Maritime Law & Commerce, Vol.33, No.2 April, 2002

"Exciting and entertaining debut novel." -- Deston Rogers, KCYN, Moab, UT November 27, 2000

"Jones ... knows New Orleans well ...and his characters move with ease and ... plot rings true." -Luke Croll -- murderxpressreviews

"New Orleans noir at its best! Can't wait for Jones' next novel." -- Bob Ball KXFM, Morehead City, NC December 28, 2000

From the Publisher

Banned in Boston? Who says POD books can't get publicity in major markets?

St. Jude's Secret author interviewed on WCAP

Boston, MA March 26, 2001

During the interview, Jones noted and WCAP's Pat McCarthy agreed that the lack of consumer knowledge on the dangers of gentically modified foods is playing right into the hands of the same large companies that have suppressed information over the last fifty years in connection with the dangers of chemicals in the stream of commerce, namely Monsanto, Dupont, Conoco and Dow Chemical. Jones' drew parallels to chemical companies' assurances in the past that certain levels of dangerous chemicals in humans were acceptable and their current position that genetically engineered crops , likewise, pose no threat to humans. Moreover, the iUniverse debut novelist suggested listeners tune into Bill Moyers'

"Trade Secrets", a PBS expose on large chemical companies cover-up of the long-term health hazards associated with exposure to chemicals prevalent in our every day life. McCarthy agrred with Jones that a similar effort to keep consumers in the dark about the hazards of genetically modified foods exists today as these same companies forge ahead at a break-neck pace into uncharted scientific territory.

Jones' novel spins a web of intrigue as drug smugglers gentically modify coffee beans to further their cocaine smuggling efforts in New Orleans. Pat McCarthy of WCAP found the setting, plot and characters fascinating.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 248 pages
• Publisher: Writers Showcase; 1St Edition edition (October 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595131069
• ISBN-13: 978-0595131068
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,834,005 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good to the last drop..., March 30, 2001

By 

Dianna Johnston "Compulsive Reader" (Joplin, MO) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: St. Jude's Secret (Paperback)

I am very impressed with this first novel by author Daniel H. Jones. Quite a swashbuckling story; had me on the edge of my seat throughout. Opens with a mysterious death on the high seas that pulls readers in quickly.

St. Jude's Secret stars attorney Bobby Grace, who is placed on the case of the death of Cilton Roy, an able-bodied and healthy seaman employed by Leviathan Lines. Once the investigation starts, Bobby finds ties to a New Orleans mob family and genetically altered coffee. And to top it all off, the Cashio mob are no strangers -- Bobby's got something personal against them and the perfect opportunity for justice.

Surrounding this action-packed story is Bobby's girlfriend, Magda (for the romantic in you), and a lively New Orleans backdrop that will have you scrambling for your travel agent. Daniel Jones has set these pages on fire with it's vivid detail and fast-paced dialogue. Prepare to become totally enraptured.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars No coffee for me, thanks!, November 20, 2000

By 

Lorraine (Seacoast NH) - See all my reviews

This review is from: St. Jude's Secret (Paperback)

This was a good first book, one worth checking out! Normally I dont read a lot of mysteries so this was a refreshing change of pace.

Bobby is the main character and takes on a case where a seaman dies of mysterious causes and the local mobster may be involved. As the book goes on, you find out more about the possible cause of death, a unlikely cause: drinking coffee that is coming from Costa Rica. I dont drink coffee but thought after reading this book, I would be leary to! Many other characters were memorable: Magda, Bobby's girlfriend and the mobster son and father and the daughter as well!

If you want a fun and fast paced story, this would definitely be a great pick!!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Killer Coffee author capture Real New Orleans, February 19, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: St. Jude's Secret (Paperback)

Full of energy and passion. Keep up the good work!